Vol. 14 No. 13-22 (2023): EFFECTS OF CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOTON GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETERS ON DIFFERENT COWPEA (Vigna unguigulata L.Walp.) VARIETIES IN YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) of cowpea (Vigna unguigulata L.Walp) is a major constraint

against cowpea cultivation. In the wake of rising cost of chemical control, ecological-friendly

methodsof curbing CLS was studied in Modibbo Adama University, Yola. The main objective

of the study was to determine the effectiveness of neem and pawpaw leaves extracts for the

control of CLS disease ofcowpea while the varieties used include SAMPEA-1, SAMPEA-2,

SAMPEA-3, SAMPEA-4, SAMPEA-5, SAMPEA-6, SAMPEA-7, SAMPEA-8, SAMPEA-9 and

SAMPEA-10. The study comprised laboratory studies, screen house and field experiments.

The field experiment was a factorial experiment consisting of 20 treatments laid out in a

Randomised Complete Block Design replicated three times with plant extracts placed on the

main plot while varieties placed on the sub-plot during 2019 and 2020 seasons. The obtained

data were analysed using statistical analysis (SAS). The results revealed that all the varieties

were infected by cercospora leaf spot disease at varying levels. On yield parameter, SAMPEA

10 had the highest yield of 2101 followed by SAMPEA 1 with 1999.88 while the least of

911.35 was obtained from SAMPEA 7. For most of the parameters, neem extracts produced

higer results followed by pawpaw extract. Therefore, adoption of neem and pawpaw leave

extract as alternatives and better remedies to CLS disease control is recommended.